Uniting communities and spreading love through outreach programmes

Roodepoort Inner City Outreach (Rico) has been in existence since 2012 and has various projects that they undertake.

Based in Van Wyk Street in Roodepoort CBD, the outreach aims to empower the community through their Sechaba Ministries by helping recovering drug addicts by providing skill development training. They also provide Bible classes under the leadership of Martin Hendricks, who offers full-time services such as counselling, prayer, and aid in facilitating rehab programs.

They provide basic skills training in early childhood development under the leadership of Betsie Brand, a former teacher from Roodepoort.

The ministry side of the outreach offers a Bible School with first-, second-, and third-year groups for people interested. This is part of the Cheerful Givers Investment, which is an NPO with section 18A clearance.

Willie Vermaak, director and founder of Rico, who is an engineer by profession, said that he saw the decay in the inner cities and how people live. He shared an interesting story of how the organisation came about and said that the first person they found slept in their car in a parking area.

“We strive to be the salt of the earth and to be a light to the community,” Willie said. He also added, “We believe in the importance of establishing a relationship with Jesus Christ for people to reach their optimum potential and to live fulfilled lives.”

The business side is still branching out, which offers jobs such as sewing and making spices – mixing, and packaging to support the ministry, but also to give jobs to recovering addicts.

The challenge, according to Willie, is that people relapse and fall into their old ways.

Their long-term dream is to open a rehab centre that will aid in detoxing and providing skills for people to empower themselves to find jobs.

“Some come for coffee, and we give them food to help them out,” Willie concluded.